Minimally Modified #2: Thai Meatballs and Noodles

Thanks to a good friend who loves Pinterest even more than me, this recipe came into my life.  We were planning a romantic double date with our (at the time) boyfriends, and Sarah suggested this menu.  I immediately started drooling, which became even more pronounced when I TASTED the meal, and promptly went home and marked it as "must make primal".

Of course, this is minimally modified because I really only changed some measurements, not the basic recipes, and removed some of the soy sauce-age because it seemed to be a lot.  Anyways, if you want to use the originals they are here and here.

I recommend making this in two parts.  Prep the meat and throw it in the oven, combine the ingredients for the noodle sauce and dipping sauce, then deal with cooking the noodles with about 5-10 minutes left on the meatballs.  Oh, and DO NOT make this meal when you are short on time.  It is a soothing work of art and cannot be rushed.  Or because you will burn the oil and stink up your condo and yourself and traumatize the dog.  Either one.  Just a warning.  It IS worth it tho :)

Noodles and Sauce

Package of rice or soba noodles, boiled and strained

• 1 tbsp crushed red pepper
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup grapeseed

Optional for topping after cooking:

(I don't usually use)

• 1 shredded carrot
• 1/2 cup green onions

Meatballs

• 1/4 cup cashew or almond meal
• 2 lbs ground turkey (or beef)
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
• 3 scallions, chopped (optional)

Dipping sauce

• 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 chopped fresh scallion (optional)

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. In a bowl put ground turkey and all other meatball ingredients.  Mix with your hands until combined well.  Shape 1/4 cup meat mixture into a ball or mini patty and transfer to a greased baking pan.  Repeat.  Bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes... watch carefully or they dry out!

For noodles, heat oil mixture in pan over low heat for no more than 2 minutes.  Again, watch carefully because it burns (I do this every time and have to start again).  Strain out pepper, save oil. Once cooled a bit, mix with 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp of lime, and toss with cooked noodles and 3 cups chopped spinach.

For the dipping sauce mix together all ingredients.  Add scallions if desired.  Leave this on the side for hungry peoples to drizzle as you see fit... I usually have to make more because Eric steals it all.

That's it.  Dig in... oh, and of course, enjoy!